Inbreeding alters male mate choice and reproductive output in the wolf spider Pardosa laura

Being inbred, refers to the offspring of parents that inbreed, characterized by mating between closely related individuals, and often results in reduced genetic diversity and increased expression of deleterious recessive alleles. This study investigated the effects of inbreeding on mate choice behavior, developmental processes, and reproductive fitness in the offspring of the wolf spider Pardosa laura. We found that males exhibited a pronounced preference for inbred females based on olfactory cues. Compared to non-sibling females, males displayed significantly more intense courtship behavior towards their sisters and also showed a visual preference for inbred females. Additionally, the draglines of inbred females were more attractive to males than those of outbred females. In terms of reproduction, being inbred significantly reduced the number of egg sacs and total egg production. Being inbred results in moderate developmental impairment in female offspring; however, it shows no significant impact on mature inbred females. Notably, these inbred offspring exhibit no signs of inbreeding depression. Rather, they outperformed outbred offspring in certain aspects. Male and female inbred offspring reached sexual maturity earlier than their outbred counterparts. These findings suggest that inbreeding suppression adversely affects the reproductive fitness and developmental outcomes of P. laura. This study offers insights into arthropod population structure by revealing potential adaptive responses associated with inbreeding. However, it also reaffirms the inherent reproductive risks typically linked with inbreeding, consistent with established knowledge. The findings provide critical guidance for endangered species conservation, emphasizing the need to incorporate species-specific reproductive adaptations in genetic risk assessments and prioritize mitigation of inbreeding depression to maintain population health.